And the final drabble of 2004 belongs to Thundera Tiger, who said she would like something, anything, concerning Mirkwood.

~~~

Moonrise over Mirkwood. Pale light touches the oaks, pools upon the earth as if to cool the ashes there. Through the silvery smokes, a silhouette walks amid the ruins, listens to the sighs of trees, the memories caught in tumbled stonetorment and tears and the echo of her voice that sang down Dol Guldur.

But blasted earth lies waiting still. And so Radagast stoops, breathes upon the earth; a kiss and whisper bless the stones. Then shade-like, he's gone. If ever the night could sigh...

But next morn, the stones lie cradled in new grass. The shadow has passed.